The reflection characteristics of large alternating-phase fed single-layer waveguide arrays with center-feeds are investigated to identify the mechanism for bandwidth narrowing effects. Firstly, the overall reflection for the whole array is analyzed by FEM and fine agreement with measurements is demonstrated. It is deviating from the conventional prediction based upon a simple sum of reflections from components in the array, such as the multiple-way power divider, the slot waveguides and the aperture at the antenna input. Careful diagnosis reveals that the mutual coupling between the alternating phase waveguides via external half-space is the key factor in reflection accumulation. Amongst all, the slot with strong excitation whose position depends upon the aperture illumination design produces the dominant contribution in the mutual coupling.

The center-feed in a single-layer slotted waveguide array[1]-[3] is one of the key components in polarization division duplex (PDD) wireless systems. Two center-feed arrays with orthogonal polarization and boresight beams are orthogonally arranged side-by-side for transmission and reception, simultaneously. Each antenna has extremely high XPD (almost 50 dB in measurement) and a very high isolation (over 80 dB in measurement) between two arrays is observed provided the symmetry of slot arrangement is preserved [4]. Unfortunately, the area blocked by the center feed causes high sidelobe levels. This paper proposes the ridged cross-junction multiple-way power divider for realizing blockage reduction and symmetrical slot arrangement at the same time.